POV change within a chapter

iwannabepublished · Jul 30, 2009

There have been many threads asking about changing point of view within scenes (including one I started). It's clear from the responses that changing POV within a scene is, well, dangerous. I have more than one chapter in my WIP that has several closely linked scenes. Is it okay to have these scenes written from a different point of view? I'm working on my second draft and have been making a great effort to keep scene POV from a single character but find that the next scene would be better served if seen through the eyes of a different character. How do you know when switching point of view, from scene to scene reducies the readability of the story? I mean, afterall, I know who is talking any why there is a change but will my reader find it as easy and not be put off by these changes?

Libbie · Jul 30, 2009

There's no rule saying you can't shift POV, but you need to have a damn good reason for doing it, and you need to be consistent with it throughout your book. If you change POV just for one or two scenes but the rest of the book is in the POV of your main character, that's not going to fly with readers.

Ask yourself why you're writing the scene from this other character's POV. Is it because that's really how the scene is best served, or is it because it's easier for you to figure out how to do that than to figure out how to get this information through your main character? What about other options? The MC having a conversation with the character who witnesses the scene, for example?

It should be obvious from a change in voice that you're in the POV of a new character. And it's a good idea to put some kind of break or even a chapter separation in to mark POV changes.

C.M.C. · Jul 30, 2009

If you don't at least include a scene break, it will be almost impossible for the reader to follow what you're doing. That being said, even with scene breaks it can be difficult to pull off if not done carefully. Don't let that scare you, but be aware of the problems.

Bufty · Jul 30, 2009

If you're asking if your reader will know who is 'talking' and why the change and will he be put off -you have a problem.

Done clearly and smoothly and with adequate warning - maybe a line-break , the reader should have no problem with it at all.

Kenteicher said:
There have been many threads asking about changing point of view within scenes (including one I started). It's clear from the responses that changing POV within a scene is, well, dangerous. I have more than one chapter in my WIP that has several closely linked scenes. Is it okay to have these scenes written from a different point of view? I'm working on my second draft and have been making a great effort to keep scene POV from a single character but find that the next scene would be better served if seen through the eyes of a different character. How do you know when switching point of view, from scene to scene reducies the readability of the story? I mean, afterall, I know who is talking any why there is a change but will my reader find it as easy and not be put off by these changes?

iwannabepublished · Jul 30, 2009

In my story the POV character is always very clear. The reason I change POV is to clearly provide the emotional feeling of a particular character. Having one character describe anther's facial expression (for example) really doesn't fully explain the emotion and isn't that telling rather than showing? I do always change the scene when changing POV. My characters are dealing with difficult, dangerous situations and each reacts to them in different ways for different reasons. I can't see how I can convey this without changing POV as needed.

maestrowork · Jul 30, 2009

Kenteicher said:
Having one character describe anther's facial expression (for example) really doesn't fully explain the emotion and isn't that telling rather than showing?

No, explaining the emotions is "telling." Describing the expressions is "showing" -- it lets the readers interpret the emotions on their own.

It's not necessary to tell emotions. But if you do feel it has to be "told" then do it. Do a scene change and shift POV.

I just wish writers don't feel the need to have to explain every side.

Also, if you find yourself wanting to tell the other side (thoughts, feelings, etc.) then perhaps you have the wrong POV characters.

I mean, whose story is it, really?

RJK · Jul 30, 2009

Some authors (Patterson for one) use short, 2 or 3 page chapters, and switch POV at the chapter break. I just read a Cussler novel with several groups of characters. He simpley inserted a scene break when he switched POV's.
As you mentioned, you need to be careful and do it well, but there is nothing wrong with switching POV's inside a chapter.

barbilarry · Jul 30, 2009

I am having the same problem. I have written the opening scene both ways. The first was strictly in the MC's pov. When I showed this scene to two of my tech. advisors at different times both of them ask, What about the woman? What is she feeling right before she crashed her car and died? (she is reacting to a drug overdose. vitally important to the plot.) So-o-o I re-wrote it putting her as pov character, in the opening scene, first 8 paragraphs. Then went into the pov of main MC for the rest of the scene and chapter.

Wark · Jul 30, 2009

Don't worry about the length of chapter if you want to change then. I've decided not to and I've got 2.5k, 800, 9.5k and growing.

But, I'd do a #. But only if I absolutely had to. My first novel had POV from damn everyone in the whole book. Never again.

POV change within a chapter

iwannabepublished

working hard - hard at work?

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

C.M.C.

Archetype

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

iwannabepublished

working hard - hard at work?

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

barbilarry

I just wanna write

Wark

Mark Brockman